Sunday News, May 4

Wells Enterprises Recalls Ice Cream Product

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) - Wells' Dairy says it is voluntarily recalling one of its Blue Bunny ice cream products for a labeling problem. The Le Mars, Iowa-based company said in a news release Saturday that packages of 56 fluid-ounce Blue Bunny Premium Bordeaux Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream are being recalled because the product may contain egg not declared on the label. People who are allergic to egg could have a severe reaction if they consume the ice cream. The packages were sold at retail grocery stores in Kansas, Indiana and Iowa. The products affected are from Lot Number 40010 TTT 19115, and have a best-used-by date of October 9th, 2015. The company says no customers have reported any illnesses in connection with the ice cream to date.

Sioux City Downtown Park Receives Funding

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - A downtown Sioux City park under construction has received a $140,000 state grant. Shepherd's Garden - on the site of what used to be a YWCA - got the boost from the Vision Iowa program, which assists projects that provide recreational, cultural, entertainment and educational attractions. The Shepherd's Garden board broke ground on the site last fall, announcing plans to build a park that will include flowers, trees, benches, water features, religious symbols and displays of Bible verses and other spiritual wording. Board member Garry Smith says $770,000 has been raised so far for the $810,000 project. Planting is expected in the fall, giving passers-by a good idea how the park will look once it's had a chance to take root. ---

Woman Found Guilty Of Torturing Mentally Ill Stepson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) - A western Iowa woman has been found guilty of torturing her mentally disabled stepson. A judge found 46-year-old Rebecca Beyer guilty Friday of first-degree kidnapping and willful injury. She faces up to life in prison when she's sentenced. Authorities say Beyer routinely abused the victim, now a 21-year-old man, severely burning him with heated eating utensils and a clothes iron and keeping him tethered to a wall in the garage with a dog leash. Beyer's attorney denied that his client abused her stepson, saying his injuries were caused by poor hygiene. ---

Des Moines Man Arrested For Attacking Security Guard

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A Des Moines man has been arrested on suspicion of attacking a security guard. 31-year-old Sekau Moore was arrested Friday night after police say they found him outside a building kicking and stomping on a security guard. Police say when officers approached, Moore fled. Officers believe he was drunk. The security officer was taken to a hospital with cuts, swelling and bruising to her head and left forearm. She told police she remembered being punched about four times before having her coat pulled over her head and being thrown to the ground. ---

Mother Grateful For Medical Marijuana Bill

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) - A Mason City mother whose son has severe epilepsy is thanking Iowa lawmakers who voted to approve the use of cannabis oil to treat the condition. Cassie Helland says she hopes Gov. Terry Branstad will sign the bill into law. The Iowa Legislature passed a bill Thursday legalizing the use of a form of marijuana oil to treat chronic epilepsy. Helland's son, 9-year-old Caleb, has had epileptic seizures since he was 3 months old. Helland says he has been having more intense seizures, including grand mal seizures, in recent weeks. Helland hopes Caleb can be prescribed cannabis oil and taken off the other medications, which have side effects such as liver and kidney damage. ---

Northern Iowa Gets New Federal Prosecutor

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin are among those celebrating the new the top federal prosecutor for northern Iowa. A ceremony was held Friday at the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids honoring Kevin Techau as the new U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. Techau took the oath of his office in February. Harkin recommended Techau, a former Des Moines attorney who once led Iowa's Department of Public Safety, for the position to President Barack Obama last year. Harkin said Friday that Techau will "be committed to upholding the law and serving our state and country." Grassley added that Techau's reputation as a dedicated public servant is well-deserved.

Legislators Fail To Pass Branstad's Priority Bullying Bill

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Efforts to reduce bullying in Iowa schools have been priorities for the last two legislative sessions, but lawmakers have again adjourned without approving a bill meant to help educators fight bullying. Both chambers approved versions of an anti-bullying bill, but the measure failed when the House removed a Senate-backed proposal designed to make it easier for school administrators to address online bullying that occurs away from school. The Senate refused to take up the altered plan. Senator Rob Hogg, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, says that aspect of the legislation was "the single most important thing to do." Representative Quentin Stanerson, a Center Point Republican, says the plan couldn't pass the House with that provision included. Governor Terry Branstad and lawmakers say they hope to try again next year.